Bears won't deny it -- they're focused on postseason

With breakout box on schedules of wild-card contenders and wild-card leaders.

Reed Schreck

"Playoffs? Don't talk about -- playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?"

You might remember Jim Mora's famous rant -- and accompanying facial expressions -- years ago as Indianapolis Colts coach. He couldn't believe anyone would ask him about his team making the postseason.

Jump ahead to 2007. You've got the Chicago Bears at 5-6, yet you won't find coach Lovie Smith reacting that way if asked about playoffs.

That's because his team gained a lot of ground over the weekend in the wild-card chase, there are five games left, and his team keeps showing it refuses to quit.

Yes, you can -- and he will -- talk playoffs.

"We talked (Saturday) about the playoffs and how we won last year in the first round (over Seattle) with a field goal like (Sunday's)," Smith said after his team's classic 37-34 overtime victory over Denver secured by a Robbie Gould field goal.

As things stand, there are six 5-6 teams hoping to get hot and track down either the 7-4 New York Giants or 6-5 Detroit Lions. Joining Chicago in the chase are New Orleans, Minnesota, Arizona, Philadelphia and Washington. Tampa Bay (7-4), Seattle (7-4), Green Bay (10-1) and Dallas (10-1) hold at least two-game leads in their divisions.

That Chicago can think playoffs is remarkable considering it's still below .500 and has yet to win consecutive games. It will get its sixth shot at doing that Sunday when it is home to the Giants.

Since losing Sept. 30 at Detroit, Chicago has alternated losing one week, then winning the next week for eight straight games.

"To be 6-6 in this (NFC) conference is pretty much right in the thick of things," Bears quarterback Rex Grossman said. "That's what our goal is."

Cornerback Charles Tillman, who had a key blocked punt against the Broncos, was only thinking of the win after Sunday's game.

"We can correct everything else in the morning, tomorrow, Wednesday," he said. "It's all about the 'W.'"

If they win out and finish 10-6, the Bears would make the playoffs with one Arizona loss. The Bears would have the tiebreaker over most other contenders by head-to-head wins -- that would mean victories over the Giants, Redskins, Saints and Eagles. The Bears still have to face the first three teams listed. Winning out also would include evening the season series against the Vikings.

A finish less than perfect also might accomplish the mission, with no one in the NFC showing any consistency other than Dallas and Green Bay. A 9-7 record likely would qualify, and even 8-8 might work.

Yes, Detroit has a huge edge on Chicago after sweeping the season series. But it has the toughest remaining schedule with games against Dallas, San Diego and Green Bay.

The Bears have a difficult schedule; that's the bad news. The good news is that it helps them control their destiny by facing so many fellow wild-card hopefuls.

They're home to the Giants, go to Washington and Minnesota and then close at home against Green Bay and New Orleans. It's possible the Packers won't have anything to play for by Dec. 23, which could prove beneficial.

Based on remaining schedules, Arizona and Minnesota have the easiest path as their combined opponent's records total 24-31. New Orleans is next at 25-30. Philadelphia has the toughest time (34-21), with Chicago and Washington close behind at 32-23.

Many head-to-head games remain, making those matchups even more significant.

All the Bears need to be concerned about right now is the Giants. Lose that game, and then even Lovie might say, "Playoffs? Don't talk about -- playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?"

Reed Schreck is the NFL writer for the Rockford Register Star. Contact him at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.